Croatian War of Independence

The Croatian War of Independence (31 March 1991-12 November 1995) was fought between Croat forces loyal to the government of Croatia - which had declared independence from SFR Yugoslavia - and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat operations in Croatia in 1992.

During the first democratic elections held in Croatia in 1990, the nationalist Croatian Democratic Union won a majority of seats, and Franjo Tudman took power as the new President of Croatia. The Serb minority of the country was angered by Tudman's adoption of the traditional checkerboard flag, which had been used by the fascist Ustase during World War II. On 25 June 1991, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia, and the Yugoslav government would attempt to maintain its control over Croatia.

The Serbs sought to establish a new state within a Yugoslav federation, including areas of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with ethnic Serb majorities or significant minorities. The police of Knin rebelled against the Bosnian government, with police chief Milan Martic leading the rebellion. After the Yugoslav People's Army failed to occupy all of Croatia, the Serb minority established the secessionist "Republic of Serbian Krajina" within Croatia. In January 1992, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire, and the frontlines became entrenched. Croatia was recognized as a country, and United Nations peacekeepers were deployed to the region. In 1995, Croatia launched two major offensives against Krajina, which controlled more than a quarter of Croatia. Croatia ended the war by destroying the Republic of Serbian Krajina, and it succeeded both in obtaining independence and preserving its borders.

Approximately 25% of Croatia's economy was destroyed during the war, and 20,000 people lost their lives. Tensions between Serbia and Croatia remained high due to the ICTY war crimes tribunal and lawsuits by both countries against one another.